SKM Haryana raises alarm over anti-farmer policies

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Haryana, during a state-level meeting held in Narwana, Jind district, expressed concern over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike to press for farmers' demands.

In response, the SKM announced a national-level mahapanchayat on January 4 in Tohana, Fatehabad, calling upon leaders from Haryana and Punjab to participate. The mahapanchayat aims to send a warning to the government against its alleged anti-farmer policies.

The meeting, held at the Chaudhary Ghasi Ram Nain Kisan Rest House, was attended by prominent farmer leaders. They condemned the Central government’s alleged insensitivity towards the plight of farmers and reiterated their commitment to continue the fight for their rights.

Farmer leaders criticised the recently released draft of the National Agricultural Marketing Framework, terming it a "message of destruction" for farmers. They pointed out that the draft lacks provisions for a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) — a key demand of the farmers.

Jogender Singh Ugrahan, a senior leader of the SKM, said, “The draft is against the interests of farmers. If the mandi system is privatised and corporate companies gain control of agricultural trade, government procurement and the MSP system will collapse. This will worsen the condition of farmers and must be opposed.”

The SKM demanded that the Central government immediately withdraw the draft framework and take steps to safeguard the rights and welfare of farmers. “The fight for the legal guarantee of MSP will continue unabated,” said Inderjit Singh, another leader present at the meeting.

The gathering also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, acknowledging their contributions to the country and the state.

Prominent leaders who attended the meeting included Jogender Nain, Suresh Koth, Kanwarjeet Singh, Vikas Sisar, Ranbir Malik, Balbir Singh, Mahender Singh, Sukhwinder Ratia, Ramphal, Rajkumar, Sukhwinder Singh, Sumit Dalal, Ajay, Jiya Lal, and others.

The January 4 mahapanchayat is expected to bring together farmers in large numbers to demand policy changes and to oppose the Central government’s agricultural framework.